Locked in a dispute over millions of dollars, the U.S. Olympic Committee pulled the plug on a bid for the 2020 Summer Games on Monday before the International Olympic Committee could say no to the Americans, as it has the last two times.
By not submitting a bid, the USOC assures at least a 20-year gap between Olympics on U.S. soil for only the fourth time. Chicago, New York and Dallas were among the cities interested in the 2020 games, but any bid was contingent upon a new deal with the IOC.
At the heart of the disagreement is the USOC’s long-standing 20 percent share of global sponsorship revenues and 12.75 percent cut of U.S. broadcast rights deals. The IOC wants more of that money.
The IOC will award the 2020 Games in 2013. Rome, Tokyo, Madrid and Istanbul, Turkey, are expected to bid. America’s next chance to host an Olympics would be the 2022 Winter Games. Denver and the Reno- Tahoe (Nev.) area are interested.
Golfer Holmes to undergo brain surgery
EDISON, N.J. — J.B. Holmes withdrew from The Barclays as he prepared to have brain surgery that will force him to miss the rest of the season.
Holmes has been diagnosed with structural defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance. He has been dealing with vertigo-like symptoms since May, and after going to several specialists, recently learned he has Chiari malformations.
The surgery is scheduled for Sept. 1.
“I know when people hear ‘brain surgery,’ it conjures up all kinds of images, but this a relatively low- risk surgery and only takes about an hour and a half,” Holmes said. “Best of all, there’s a very high success rate in fixing the condition.”
• Tiger Woods, whose No. 36 world ranking is his lowest since Nov. 17, 1996, said he might add a tournament in the Fall Series that begins Sept. 29 in Las Vegas.
“Right now, I’m looking at my options,” Woods said.
Woods also said he wants to be part of the Presidents Cup team in Australia the week before Thanksgiving, although he will to have to rely on being one of two picks of captain Fred Couples.
Agent: Crosby “hasn’t been shut down by anyone”
PITTSBURGH — The agent for Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby refuted a Canadian television report that said the former MVP suffered a setback in his recovery from two concussions.
CTV News reported Monday that Crosby suspended his training after suffering a recurrence of concussion-like symptoms and wouldn’t be ready when the Penguins open training camp next month.
Agent Pat Brisson said the center “hasn’t been shut down by anyone” and instead has adjusted his summer program to address the different needs for his recovery.
Georgia, Pennsylvania win at LLWS
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Jake Fromm hit for a two-run homer in a three-run ninth that helped propel Warner Robins, Ga., to an 8-5 victory over LaGrange, Ky., at the Little League World Series.
Fromm, a pitcher, wasn’t done. He returned to the mound in the bottom of the ninth to finish off Kentucky with two strikeouts and a groundout to help Georgia move on in the tournament.
Earlier, Clinton County, Pa., eliminated Lafayette, La., with a 10-0 blowout ended after 3 1/2 innings; Langley, British Columbia defeated Kaoshiung 5-3 to become the first Canadian team to beat a squad from Taiwan at the series after 16 consecutive losses; and Hamamatsu City, Japan, ousted Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 13-4.
Footnotes.
Devastated and “without appetite for life,” Rafael Nadal contemplated a move into professional golf after a career-threatening foot injury sidelined him in 2005, the 10-time Grand Slam champion writes in his autobiography “Rafa.”
• NASCAR suspended Trucks Series driver Shane Sieg for violating its substance-abuse policy.
• Pablo Lastras of Spain took the overall lead of the Spanish Vuelta by winning the race’s 101-mile third stage. He leads Sylvain Chavanel of France by 20 seconds.
